Winter Intolerance
Food intolerances and sensitivities are extremely common and seem to be on the rise. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 20% of the world’s population may have a food intolerance (1). So many food intolerance sufferers find the Holiday season tricky; after all this is the season to be merry and there isn’t much to be merry about when you are suffering from gut problems, headaches, migraines, skin symptoms, low energy, or low mood.
Food intolerances are often dose-related; people with food intolerance may not have symptoms unless they eat large portions of food or eat the food frequently. For example, a person with a milk intolerance may be able to drink milk in coffee or a single glass of milk but become sick if they drink several glasses of milk. Symptoms usually begin within a few hours of eating the food you are intolerant to and can be delayed by up to 48-hours, making the offending food especially difficult to pinpoint (2).
Common winter Intolerance
Below we will list five of the most common intolerances and how those may affect you during the festive holidays. To help you further, we will also explain how our tests can be used to get more information and get to the bottom of your symptoms with the help of your GP or Allergist.
The most common intolerances are:
| Type of Intolerance | Found in | How can we help? |
| Dairy | Dairy products |
Our intolerance test can be used to detect casein intolerances. Casein can be found in most cow milk products, but the casein presence is low in goat and sheep milk. Therefore, you may not need to give up milk completely and still enjoy some Holiday treats. Our tests cannot be used to diagnose lactose intolerance. |
| Gluten | Wheat, barley, rye, and triticale |
Non-celiac gluten-sensitivity is a milder form of gluten intolerance that has been estimated to impact anywhere from 0.5 to 13% of the population (3). Our intolerance test can help you investigate this further. Our tests cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease. |
| Caffeine | In a wide variety of beverages, including coffee, soda, tea, and energy drinks. | This hypersensitivity to caffeine has been linked to genetics, as well as a decreased ability to metabolize and excrete caffeine (4). We are offering two tests: a DNA and an intolerance test that can help you gain essential information about Nutrition, Fitness, and caffeine intake. |
| Salicylates | Fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, spices, nuts, and honey. | Salicylates are natural chemicals produced by plants as a defence against environmental stressors such as insects and disease. Our intolerance test covers a large number of food items, including spices and nuts. |
| Amines | Fermented foods such as aged cheeses, cured meat, and smoked fish. | Amines are produced by bacteria during food storage and fermentation and can be found in a wide variety of foods. Our tests include a variety of fish and meat items. |
Type of Intolerance:
Dairy
Found in:
Dairy products
How can we help:
Our intolerance test can be used to detect casein intolerances. Casein can be found in most cow milk products, but the casein presence is low in goat and sheep milk. Therefore, you may not need to give up milk completely and still enjoy some Holiday treats.
Our tests cannot be used to diagnose lactose intolerance.
Type of Intolerance:
Gluten
Found in:
Wheat, barley, rye, and triticale
How can we help:
Non-celiac gluten-sensitivity is a milder form of gluten intolerance that has been estimated to impact anywhere from 0.5 to 13% of the population (3). Our intolerance test can help you investigate this further.
Our tests cannot be used to diagnose celiac disease.
Type of Intolerance:
Caffeine
Found in:
In a wide variety of beverages, including coffee, soda, tea, and energy drinks.
How can we help:
This hypersensitivity to caffeine has been linked to genetics, as well as a decreased ability to metabolize and excrete caffeine (4). We are offering two tests: a DNA and an intolerance test that can help you gain essential information about Nutrition, Fitness, and caffeine intake.
Type of Intolerance:
Salicylates
Found in:
Fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, spices, nuts, and honey.
How can we help:
Salicylates are natural chemicals produced by plants as a defence against environmental stressors such as insects and disease. Our intolerance test covers a large number of food items, including spices and nuts.
Type of Intolerance:
Amines
Found in:
Fermented foods such as aged cheeses, cured meat, and smoked fish.
How can we help:
Amines are produced by bacteria during food storage and fermentation and can be found in a wide variety of foods. Our tests include a variety of fish and meat items.
- The Holidays can be one of the hardest times for anyone who has a food allergy or intolerance. The whole Festive period including thanksgiving and Christmas is based around eating, drinking, and socialising, and this can be quite isolating for sufferers. Suddenly there is all this exciting food; foods that may not have been around for a whole year, and we’re positively encouraged to be gluttonous!
Symptoms that last longer than a few weeks are usually the result of allergies. Symptoms that appear suddenly, after weeks or months in the same home, maybe from a cold, especially if a person does not have a history of allergies.
Winter Intolerance or cold?
Unfortunately, Cold and winter sensitivity symptoms look and sound the same which means it’s hard to decipher between the two. (5) Allergy Test has put together a list of symptoms that can help you work out if it’s a winter intolerance, or cold and flu symptoms.
Our Vitamin D testing can help you monitor your levels.
- Allergens do not change the body temperature, whereas a cold or flu can cause your body to run hot or cold.
- A rash is a common winter intolerance symptom, especially around the eyes. These are not common in colds.
- A cold will eventually go away, especially with some light meditation, or increased vitamin c, whereas an intolerance will react each time you consume the item.
- Sore throats and coughs are a common symptom of colds, as well as Covid-19, so do ensure you get a test to check. Coughs are not common with winter intolerances. If you do contract Covid-19, please ensure you regularly monitor your Vitamin D levels to help improve your health and mortality rate. These are available at checkout.
- Chest pressure and sinus congestion are usually related to a cold, or flu, but it is only asthma sufferers who report this for allergies.
- A cold may cause aches and pains, while allergies typically do not.
Winter Intolerances Conclusion
Living with intolerances can cause a daily struggle, and guessing what you need to cut out is half the battle. Here at Allergy Test we want to help you get ready for the Holidays and using our tests you will be able to get important information that could help you find a healthier diet, that works for you; have a look at our range of tests.
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